Folding table



Dec. 25, 1951 P. H. RANDOLPH FOLDING TABLE 2- SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1947 Illl Pd H. Randal h F /'g. 3 u INVENIT,OR.

BY g zsM W Amm s Patented Dec. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE FOLDING TABLE Paul H. Randolph, Miami, Fla.- Application December 9, 1947, Serial No. 790,481

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in tables and more particularly to a folding table designed for use out of doors.

An important object of the invention is to provide means connecting the legs at each end.

of the table to each other for uniform folding movement upwardly against the top of the table and connecting the legs to each other at their lower ends in a manner to brace the legs against lateral strain and also providing a longitudinally extending brace board between the lower ends of each pair'of legs to lock the legs against folding movement as well as to brace the legs against longitudinal strain.

A still further object is to provide an axle journaled in the lower ends of a pair of the legs and to which one end of the brace board is permanently secured for folding upwardly against the table top by the folding of the legs.

A still further object is to provide a foldable table of simple and practical construction, which is strong and durable, attractivein appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well-adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the table in open position;

Figure 2 is an end elevational View;

Figure 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view with the table in folded position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line l-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 3 and showing the table in its folded position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein for thepurpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates the table top generally and which is composed of transversely extending planks 6 secured in spaced parallel relation with respect toeach other by means of a pair of longitudinally extending battens 1 through which screws or similar fastening devices 8 are inserted upwardly for penetration into the bottom of the planks to permanently secure the planks in position to the battens.

A pair of square-shaped shafts 9 extend trans- 2 versely between the battens adjacent the ends of the table, the shafts having rounded end portions I0 journaled in the batten.

A pair of legs H are secured to the end portions ill of one of the shafts 9 outwardly of the battens and are held in position thereon by set screws or the like l2. pair of legs H are secured to each other by a transversely extending axle I3 of square-shape in cross section and also having rounded end portions is journaled in the legs and having wheels 15 journaled on the outer ends of said rounded end portions M. The wheels are secured in position on the axle by collars or washers l6 and set screws or the like H.

A second pair of legs 20 are secured to the other shaft 9 inwardly of the batten 1 and secured to the rounded end portions of said shaft by set screws or the like 2|. The lower ends of the legs 20 are connected to each other by a rigid transversely extending brace 22 and the lower ends of legs 20 are rounded as shown at 23 to facilitate sliding of the legs over the ground.

The central portion of axle I3 is notched as shown at [3a and in which is rigidly secured one end of a longitudinally extending brace board 24. The transverse brace 22 is also notched as shown at 25 and in which the other end of the brace board 24 is seated, said last-named end of the brace board having a pair of openings 26 therein for receiving a pair of pegs 21 extending downwardly from the notch in portion 25 of brace 22. The free end of the brace board 24 is held against the underside of brace 22 by pivoted catches 28 carried by the brace 22 and swingable into and out of a position underlying an adjacent side edge of the brace board 24.

The upper inneredges of legs I l and 20 are rounded as shown at 29- to permit inward swinging movement of the legs into a folded position under the table top and the outer upper edges of the legs are formed with horizontal extensions or stops 30 abutting the under side of the top to prevent outward swinging movement of the legs. v

The center plank 6 is formed with an opening 3| for receiving an umbrella staff (not shown) and the upper surface of brace board 24 is formed with a recess or socket 32 in which the lower end of the staff is seated to support an umbrella on the table.

When it is desired to fold the table, the catches 28' are swung outwardly to release the free end of brace board 24, the brace board swung downwardly and outwardly by rotating the axle I 3 in The lower ends of the legs II from the full line position shown in Figure 4 to the dotted line position and the legs II and 20 swung upwardly against the table top. The folding of the legs Ii also swings the brace board 24 against the under side of the table top as shown in Figure 5.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it' is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more'd'etailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and describedra preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fullybomprehended by the spirit of the-invention,asherein.

described and the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what isclaimed as new is:

folding table including a 'top ,having.,apair 'oi: spaced parallel battens atits undersidehapa-ir of transverse shafts journaled the battens; at

opposite ends-,of the table,;a pair of'legspivoted on one shaft inwardly: of the battensand asec- 0nd pairpf legs pivoted on 1the other shaft outwardly'ofuthe battens, said legs being foldable against the underside of the top, a fixed cross brace connecting the lower ends of one pair of legs, a rotatable cross brace connecting the lower ends of the other pair of legs, a longitudinal brace fixed at one end to the rotatable cross brace for swinging into a folded position under the top together with the second pair of legs, said longitudinal brace having an opening at its free end, and a pin on the fixed crossbrace engaged in said opening .tolock thelegs in open position.

PAUL RANDOLPH.

REFERENCES CITED .The' following references are of record in the file of this, patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

